Australia starts missile production

Australia will start manufacturing Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missiles this month after the opening of a new factory in Port Wakefield, South Australia.

As part of the Albanese Government’s commitment to establish a sovereign guided weapons industry and a future made in Australia, Lockheed Martin Australia and Defence will commence production of Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missiles at the facility by the end of 2025.

The project will create around 20 new manufacturing jobs on-site and support hundreds more across the supply chain, driven by the Albanese Government’s investment.

The GMLRS missile is a precision strike weapon launched from the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) recently acquired under the Australian Army’s long-range fires project.

The announcement today also marks a significant milestone in Australia’s Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise plan, meeting the production schedule outlined by the government last year. The factory – designed and built by Intract Australia, an Indigenous-owned and -operated company – was completed in just under seven months.

The Port Wakefield factory will be only the second facility in the world to produce GMLRS outside Lockheed Martin’s facility in Camden, Arkansas. This achievement deepens Australia–United States defence ties and opens significant export opportunities.

The first cohort of Australian workers has successfully completed training at the Camden facility, accelerating knowledge transfer and strengthening Australia’s sovereign defence capability.

This project forms part of the Albanese Government’s investment of up to $21 billion over the decade to acquire more long-range strike systems and manufacture longer-range munitions in Australia.

Quotes attributable to Acting Prime Minister, Richard Marles:

“Starting missile production in Australia this year is a major step in building the industrial strength our nation needs. It’s about creating advanced manufacturing capability that will serve Australia for decades to come.

"This factory is part of a bigger picture – growing a high-tech industry that supports skilled jobs, drives innovation and strengthens Australia’s economy. It’s a clear example of what a future made in Australia looks like.

"Producing these missiles in Australia demonstrates both the strength of our alliance with the United States and the capability of Australian industry.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy:

“The opening of this factory delivers on the Albanese Government’s commitment to establish a sovereign missile manufacturing industry. It’s about jobs for locals and a future made in Australia.

“This is a significant milestone and a proud moment for Australia. This will make us more self-reliant and strengthen our national security.

“It reaffirms our defence partnership with the United States, including our growing collaboration on guided weapons and explosive ordnance, and will equip our ADF with long-range strike capability that will help keep Australians safe.”

Quotes attributable to Mr Patrick Mason, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Army for Defense Exports & Cooperation (DASA DE&C):

"The opening of this GMLRS manufacturing facility in Port Wakefield represents a transformative milestone in U.S.-Australia defence cooperation. 

This partnership not only strengthens our shared commitment to regional security but also demonstrates the power of allied innovation in building resilient defence supply chains. 

Our nations’ goal to collaborate on guided weapons manufacturing exemplifies the deep trust and interoperability that defines our alliance, while potentially creating new opportunities for both countries to support partners across the Indo-Pacific region."